The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-04-01
KENOSHA BUSINESS MEN
MATTHIAS HUCK

KENOSHA BUSINESS MEN.
MATTHIAS HUCK.
Mr.. Matthias Huck is native of
Alsace, which was at the time of his
emigration to this country, in 1849, a
part of France. For about three years
Mr.. Huck knocked around, working a
good share of the time at farming. In
1852 he came to Kenosha and began his
career here as journeyman in Ely &
Lays shoe shop, in wooden building
where Hilgens store is now. Then he
worked for Ely & Baldwin, following this
up by working for James Robson, who
was succeeded by Ed. Robson, in a store
standing where Kressin and Berens are
located. In 1858 Mr.. Huck, James Rob-
son, Jr., and John Friss bought part of
an old cooper shop, moved it on to the
ground just south of Jos. Bendt's store,
on the North side, and fitted it up for a
shoe store. In 1859 this firm was dis
solved, and the firm of Huck & Robson
opened store in frame building stand
ing on Main street, about where the
middle of the Balm Wagon Co.'s new
brick warehouse is. During this year
the store was visited by burglars. Mr..
Huck's son slept in the store, but on this
occasion had been to the lake for bath,
and on his return surprised the robbers,
who had the entire stock packed up and
ready to be shipped by means of YES
sci which was lying in the harbor. The
thieves fed, leaving their plumber be-
hind. About the close of 1859 Mr.. Huck
bought his partner out, who set himself
up in business farther south on Main
street. Mr.. Huck ran the business
alone, and was doing nice business for
the times until the fire of 1860, which
burned the entire block, and consumed
everything he had in the store. He
was crippled, but not conquered. The
fire occurred on Saturday, and on Mon
day he was again in business of his own,
having bought the stock and business of
MIR. Robson, occupying wooden struct-
ure standing where Melville's store is
now. Pluck like this certainly deserved
success, but further trial awaited him.
His stay here was of short duration, for
the fire fend attacked him again, and
drove him out a second time. This
time, however, his stock was saved. AT
that time there was a cow-shed standing
about where the back end of Doan &
Browns store stands, which Mr.. Huck
fitted up and opened as boot and shoe
store, after having been burned out
twice inside of three weeks. In 1861
Mr.. Huck and Mrs. Hugh McDermott
rented the store where Mr.. Huck is now,
he occupying one side in his line and
she the other as millinery store. His
old enemy, the devouring element, was
not yet satisfied, and made one more
effort to dislodge him, but with only
partial success. About five months
after moving into his present store the
back end Of the building took fire, one
night, and his stock was moved into the
street. The fire was extinguished, how
ever, and his stock moved back into the
partially burned premises. The build
ing was repaired in the best manner
that circumstances would permit, and
again Mr.. Huck continued his contest
against adverse fortune. In 1865 Mr..
Huck purchased the property he occu-
pied of John P. Aver, and became
master Of the situation. In 1871, after a
Joint occupancy of the store with Mr..
Huck for about Il years, Mrs. McDer-
mott moved out and gave Mr.. Huck the
long-wished-for opportunity to expand
and enjoy breathing room. His increas-
ing business was crowding and demand
ed room. Mr.. Huck deals in all varie-
ties ofladies and gentlemen's footwear.
At one time cow-shed was large enough,
but now, with so much more room, his
business fills it all up. AS an example
of thrift, industry, energy and uncon-
querable perseverance, crowned by
abundant success, Mr.. Huck stands out
in bold relief. Mr.. Huck is man
whose word is better than a bond-whose
citizenship is without blemish-whose
good reputation is dearer to him than
life and there are no fears but that
Matthias Huck will maintain his present
high standing to the end.
JOHN BERENs.
Mr.. John Berens is native of Trier.
Prussia, where he learned the trade of
shoe-making, and for several years he
carried on the boot and shoe business
on his own account in his native town.
At the age of 81, in 1870, Mr.. Berens
left the protection of the family roof.
and started for the Western world. His
first stopping place was at Jefferson, this
state, where he worked in the boot and
shoe factory for a couple of months, and
then came to Kenosha in the fall of
1870, going to work for F. w. Lyman
for three weeks. Then Mr.. Berens and
Mr.. Nicholas Kohlman went into part
nership, and opened shop in the build
ing where Kerber's meat market former
ly stood on the North side. There they
remained until the spring of 1871, when
they moved into the building just south
of Jos. Bendt's store, North side. This
is the same building that was fitted up
by Huck, Robson & Friss for a shoe
shop in 1858. In the fall of 1871 Mr..
Berens bought his partner out and con-
tinued the business alone, in the same
place, for five years. In1876 he moved
into the store now occupied by him, on
the corner of North Main and Chestnut
streets, where he has been for the
last eleven years. His first stock put
into his present store-worth 5000
was voluntarily furnished him by two or
three jobbers in his line, who gave him
all the time he wanted to pay for the
same, thus showing the confidence re-
posed in him by his fellow-trad esmen.
Mr.. Berens has risen, mainly by his own
1naided efforts, from almost no capital
to the position OF a well-to-do dealer,
whose record is as clear as the day. This
has been done by hard work, often
lines frightening the day until mid
night, and many times until into the
small hours of the next day. Economy
ind industry, honesty and punctuality
nave been his moving power. In his
'tore may be found the best of every
hing in his line. By fair prices and |
courteous frankness he pleases all who
all, dealing on the principle of live |
md let i've" Though not wealthy, as
he millionaire speaks it, still he is rich |
q the satisfaction that no man can |
ccuse him of wrong, and is himself |
be embodiment of cgntentment and
Ty4rrx,<s,-f%xy